Podnosis

Millions of Americans are affected by cancer each year. For many, hair loss is among the most distressing side effects of chemotherapy treatment, causing some to put off or refuse chemo. A revolutionary technology exists: scalp cooling, which involves wearing a cold cap during treatment to restrict blood vessels and reduce how much chemo reaches the hair follicles. Rossalynn Ripper, a breast cancer survivor, was able to use scalp cooling to prevent hair loss during her treatment. Now, she advocates for her home state of Maryland to pass a bill requiring insurers to cover the treatment. Senior Writer Anastassia Gliadkovskaya talks to Ripper and her oncologist, Young Lee, M.D., of Luminis Health, about why scalp cooling is important to treatment access and what barriers remain. To learn more about the topics in this episode:  CMS rolls out new payment model on improving cancer treatments Accelerating solutions to cancer through impact investing More patients are surviving cancer, but incident rates rising among women and younger adults: ACS report See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Payment integrity is top of mind as insurers face growing pressure to eliminate fraud, waste and abuse. Successful programs require investment in technology and expertise to analyze trends and identify abnormalities. The team at Optum Insight works closely with insurers across the healthcare system to examine this data In this episode of "Podnosis," Fierce Healthcare senior writer Paige Minemyer sits down with Steve Yurjevich, CEO of the payer market at Optum Insight, to discuss the challenges and solutions in this space. To learn more about the topics in this episode:  'Well-intentioned, poorly executed waste': How tech companies aim to reduce billions in wasteful spending New Mountain Capital merges Apixio, Varis and The Rawlings Group in $3B deal CMS sets up real-time medical fraud center with DOGE; Federal contractor rolls out commercial tool Industry Voices—We need to fight fraud the right way See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Democratic Women’s Caucus, a coalition of 96 lawmakers, advocates for women’s economic prosperity, healthcare access and safety. In this week’s episode of "Podnosis," Fierce Healthcare staff writer Emma Beavins speaks with Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández of New Mexico and Rep. Kelly Morrison of Minnesota about their policy agenda, including the impact of Medicaid cuts, the fight for abortion and birth control access, and efforts to work with Republicans on healthcare reform. To learn more about the topics in this episode:  Fighting maternal and infant health inequities UnitedHealth report: Disparities persist in maternal, infant health Most states saw hospital obstetric service shutdowns from 2010-2022, with rural states hit hardest Gates Foundation invests $2.5B to spark women's health innovations The business case for investing in women’s health CMS selects states for Medicaid maternal health model Maternal mental health in the spotlight See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lawmakers are turning up the heat on pharmacy benefit managers, with more than 1,500 bills introduced this year targeting drug costs, utilization rules and pharmacy networks. In the latest episode of Podnosis, Wes Hill, senior director at RxBenefits, said rising drug prices and pressure from constituents are driving the surge. While federal movement has been limited, states are advancing legislation at a rapid pace, creating new compliance challenges for PBMs and plan sponsors. Hill said employers—who shoulder much of the cost of pharmacy benefits—need to make their voices heard. By tracking legislation, assessing its impact and working with advisors, they can help shape reforms and protect their health plans. To hear more about the legal battles and what’s ahead for PBMs, listen to the full Podnosis episode.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Medication nonadherence is not new, but it remains a persistent, complex problem. Adherence rates hover near 50%—roughly the same as two decades ago—as companies explore new ways to engage patients and help them stick to treatment regimens. Adhere Health combines technology with care navigators to identify at-risk patients and help them consistently access their prescriptions. In this episode of "Podnosis," Fierce Healthcare Senior Writer Anastassia Gliadkovskaya speaks with Chandra Y. Osborn, Ph.D., M.P.H., chief experience officer at AdhereHealth, about how the company takes on risk to drive outcomes and why it keeps a human in the loop. To learn more about the topics in this episode:  Healthcare 'flying blind': Medication nonadherence and how remote therapeutic monitoring can help Out-of-pocket spending on prescriptions grew even after accounting for rebates: study PatchRx to integrate medication adherence data with virtual care platforms Scriptology acquires RxLive to build out its tech stack See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What are the main challenges hospitals face today? And how can they begin to get their arms around them while centering patients in their decision making?  In this episode of "Podnosis," Senior Writer Anastassia Gliadkovskaya speaks to Janina Beilner, SVP of healthcare at Siemens, about how the company helps hospitals use technology in a thoughtful way to improve their infrastructure, operations and ultimately the patient experience.  To learn more about the topics in this episode:  How health systems are reshaping their strategies in the face of federal policy uncertainty Human-centered design in healthcare How Nvidia-backed Artisight is taking smart hospitals to the next level with AI and computer vision Breathing better: Hospitals begin to phase out major pollutants in patient care See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hope, when applied with purpose and action, can be a powerful force for driving change in healthcare. That’s the philosophy of Eugene Woods, CEO of Advocate Health and a 2025 Fierce 50 honoree, who joins Ayla Ellison, Editor-in-Chief of Fierce Life Sciences & Healthcare, to share how he puts “Applied Hope” into practice. Woods explains how this approach combines optimism with action and why it’s become a guiding strategy for one of the nation’s largest nonprofit health systems. In their conversation, Woods discusses leading through massive organizational change, cultural transformation and the rapid adoption of new technologies. He offers insights on improving quality and affordability, investing in both rural communities and urban neighborhoods and preparing for a future shaped by AI and more human-centered healthcare delivery. To learn more about the topics in this episode:  Fierce 50 of 2025  Eugene A. Woods—Fierce 50 Leadership Honoree  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Corporate venture capital is gaining traction across industries. From 2014 to 2024, it accounted for nearly half of all VC deal value. Healthcare is no exception: dozens of health systems now have venture arms or invest directly in healthcare startups. Arizona-based Banner Health is one of them, taking a strategic approach to equity deals and joint ventures. To unpack that strategy, Senior Writer Anastassia Gliadkovskaya spoke with Mark Garvin, former senior vice president of partnership and venture development at Banner Health. This episode was recorded before Garvin departed from Banner. He no longer represents the organization, but his insights remain highly relevant. To learn more about the topics in this episode:  Banner Health boosts investment in AI-powered automation tech to maximize operating rooms What’s next for digital health investing in 2025? Ardent Health execs eye outpatient expansion, see nonprofits' headwinds as growth opportunity See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transitions of care—moving patients from one care site to another—continue to be a major challenge in healthcare. Nearly 1 in 5 Medicare patients discharged from a hospital—approximately 2.6 million seniors—are readmitted within 30 days, at a cost of more than $26 billion every year, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Salman Ali, CEO and co-founder of Kouper, saw opportunities to take a tech-based approach to care transitions, using generative AI to ensure patients don’t fall through the cracks after hospital discharge. As executive-in-residence at venture capital group General Catalyst, Stephen Klasko, M.D., has a front-row seat to the latest innovations in AI. And as former CEO of Jefferson Health in Philadelphia, Klasko understands the value of using technology to tackle operational pain points at health systems. In this episode of “Podnosis,” Ali and Klasko dig into Kouper’s approach to improving care transitions and why they see AI at a true inflection point. They talk about how hospitals can deploy AI without adding to staff burden and why trust matters more than technology in winning over health system leaders. To learn more about the topics in this episode:  Kouper is tackling transitions of care armed with $10M from General Catalyst, 25Madison and CVS' venture arm Ohio attorney general approves sale of Summa Health to General Catalyst's HATCo, with some conditions Commure raises $200M in growth financing from General Catalyst See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The first half of 2025 was decidedly mixed for many publicly traded healthcare companies, and they’re facing murky waters in the back half of the year amid policy and cost upheaval.  In this episode of "Podnosis," Fierce Healthcare Associate Editor Dave Muoio and Senior Writer Paige Minemyer break down the topline takeaways from another round of corporate earnings calls, including a look at executive commentary on the “big, beautiful” policy environment.  To learn more about the topics in this episode:  Elevated Medicare Advantage, ACA marketplace costs sting insurers in mixed Q2 HCA Healthcare raises 2025 guidance on strong Q2, says Medicaid changes should be 'manageable' UnitedHealthcare to exit certain Medicare Advantage markets as costs balloon, impacting 600K enrollees Community Health Systems attributes Q2 volume stumble to low consumer confidence, immigration fears Oscar Health misses estimates in Q2, plans layoffs and inks Hy-Vee-branded ICHRA plan Aetna turnaround is a 'top priority' at CVS Health, CEO says, as Wall Street buoyed by insurance unit's rebound With buyouts looming, Humana improves outlook as revenue beats estimates in Q2 Cost pressures limit Molina Healthcare during Q2 earnings as stock dips Ardent Health has no qualms about losing exchange volumes, execs say Cigna's solid Q2 results boosted by Evernorth revenue growth, limited exposure to elevated medical costs Universal Health Services addresses behavioral volume slip by targeting outpatient, downplays Medicaid cuts Elevance Health CEO Gail Boudreaux says company taking 'concrete steps' to address cost pressures Tenet Healthcare raises 2025 outlook on Q2 overperformance; concerns linger over ACA subsidies, slowed admissions Centene slashes 2025 guidance as it navigates ACA marketplace headwinds 'Humming on all cylinders': Alignment Healthcare CEO inks profit milestone, eyes growth See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Research shows that women impacted by domestic abuse are significantly more likely to experience chronic health conditions. Survivors often live with untreated pain, anxiety and fear—and many never disclose their experiences to a healthcare provider. At Endeavor Health Swedish Hospital in Chicago, a new pilot program is rethinking how care teams engage survivors of gender-based violence. The initiative aims to improve how clinicians identify, respond to, and connect patients with trauma-informed care and critical resources. Senior Writer Anastassia Gliadkovskaya talks to Mariá Wilburn, a certified crisis counselor and manager of the Pathways Program at Endeavor Health, about the unique approach and why it’s important.  To learn more about the topics in this episode:  Some sexual assault survivors face huge hospital bills if they seek emergency care Half of women skip or delay care due to 'triple threat' of factors, report finds Unique generational mental health needs highlight demand for personalized care, survey finds See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As healthcare costs continue to climb, employers are searching for new ways to support their workforce while managing spend. One potential solution: direct contracting, where employers partner directly with care providers instead of going through traditional insurers. In this episode of "Podnosis," senior writer Anastassia Gliadkovskaya chats with Nick Stefanizzi, CEO of Northwell Direct, the direct-to-employer arm of Northwell Health. He explains how the organization partners with employers through Northwell’s broad provider network, why even competitors are joining the effort and what he sees as the future of employer-sponsored healthcare. To learn more about the topics in this episode:  Employers embracing direct contracting and bypassing insurers: survey Industry Voices—Healthcare disruption is here and employers are driving it Buyers of digital health plan to up their investment next year, survey finds See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects more than 35 million Americans, and up to 9 in 10 adults with the condition don’t know they have it. Often called a “silent killer,” CKD is typically diagnosed in later stages, when treatment becomes more complex and costly. In this episode, Fierce Healthcare Senior Writer Anastassia Gliadkovskaya speaks with Carney Taylor, M.D., associate chief medical officer at Interwell Health, about why CKD is ripe for value-based care, how early interventions can improve outcomes, and what it takes to shift kidney care upstream. To learn more about the topics in this episode:  CMMI to cut participation in payment models, estimates $750M in savings Humana finds value-based care leads to fewer hospital admissions for kidney patients Humana cuts 13-state kidney disease management deal with Interwell Health Interwell Health finalizes $2.4B kidney care merger to combine tech, value-based care capabilities See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new medical school in Arkansas has welcomed its first-ever class. The Alice L. Walton School of Medicine (AWSOM), founded by Walmart heir Alice Walton in 2021, is built on the principles of whole health. The curriculum values the arts and business as much as clinical work and research, with a goal of bringing empathy back to medicine. In this episode of "Podnosis," Senior Writer Anastassia Gliadkovskaya speaks with AWSOM CEO and founding dean Sharmila Makhija, M.D., about what makes the school unique, the partnerships already underway and the long-term vision for strengthening the clinical workforce in Arkansas. To learn more about the topics in this episode:  Walmart heir's nonprofit to start new integrative medical school in Arkansas Mercy, Alice Walton philanthropies unveil $700M specialty care affiliation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Employers are facing rising healthcare costs, and specialty care remains among the most expensive. For self-funded employers, even a few employees with chronic conditions can significantly drive up spending. That makes access to high-quality care especially important. Carrum Health partners with employers through a value-based network of specialty care providers. In this episode of "Podnosis," Senior Writer Anastassia Gliadkovskaya speaks with Christoph Dankert, Carrum’s chief network officer, about trends in the market, employer bargaining power and why value-based payment models are key to improving care. To learn more about the topics in this episode:  Carrum Health marks major expansion of Centers of Excellence network, specialty care service lines Carrum Health offers value-based treatment model for substance use disorders Industry Voices—Healthcare disruption is here and employers are driving it UnitedHealth, HAC study examines how obesity is impacting employer health costs See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In a sponsored episode of Podnosis, Fierce Healthcare’s Chris Hayden speaks with Chris Johnson, co-CEO of TeleTracking, and Jeremy David, co-head of healthcare at Palantir, about a new partnership aimed at modernizing hospital operations. The collaboration combines TeleTracking’s patient flow and capacity management expertise with Palantir’s artificial intelligence and data analytics tools. The goal: help health systems make faster, smarter decisions, reduce inefficiencies, and improve access to care—all while reducing costs. The conversation highlights how the joint platform is designed to address mounting operational pressures, from staff shortages to extended wait times. Unlike traditional tech solutions, the companies say their approach centers on real-time, AI-driven workflows that adapt to evolving hospital needs. Instead of long-term roadmaps, they’re focused on delivering measurable results within months. To hear more about how the two companies plan to transform healthcare operations, listen to the full episode of Podnosis, available now.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A growing number of healthcare stakeholders are recognizing the importance of whole-person care, which addresses both physical and mental health. Affordability is often the first hurdle. But beyond that, what does it really take to improve mental healthcare? In this episode of "Podnosis," Senior Writer Anastassia Gliadkovskaya sits down with Jennifer Meyer, president of commercial and consumer business at SonderMind, a national mental health provider offering both virtual and in-person therapy and psychiatry, to discuss where the field is headed and how providers can help move it forward. To learn more about the topics in this episode:  SonderMind expands telemental health to New York, Michigan, now in all 50 states Intermountain to use NeuroFlow tech to support integrated behavioral health in primary care Survey: Opportunities for tech investments in behavioral health Grow Therapy launches care coordination program to streamline referrals to higher levels of care See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As artificial intelligence continues to reshape healthcare, rural providers face a tough reality: limited infrastructure, staffing shortages, tight budgets, and often, a lack of in-house tech expertise. These constraints make it harder to adopt cutting-edge tools, and many worry rural systems will be left behind in the AI boom. But some industry leaders see it differently. In this episode of "Podnosis," we explore how AI could actually become a great equalizer for rural healthcare. Fierce Healthcare's Heather Landi speaks with Amar Kendale, president and co-founder of Homeward Health, who shares why rural systems might be uniquely positioned to leapfrog outdated technology altogether and how AI can help address long-standing gaps in access and care delivery. Then, she sits down with Punit Soni, CEO of Suki, to talk about the practical side of AI adoption in small and under-resourced settings. From infrastructure workarounds to flexible pricing models, Soni explains how rural clinics and hospitals are making AI work and what it will take to scale those efforts. To learn more about the topics in this episode:  ‘I wish we could be more optimistic’: A look at AI implementation at an Arizona FQHC Provider organizations face major misalignment in AI investment and business strategy: Accenture Suki adds 12 partners as rural hospitals increasingly adopt AI Rural areas rapidly losing independent docs, practices: PAI report See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you work in healthcare, chances are you have limited visibility into your patients. A primary care provider might not know when a patient visits the hospital, and vice versa. But what if all relevant data could be surfaced and shared in real time with everyone involved in a patient's care? Watershed Health is working to make that possible. The platform enables real-time data sharing by connecting electronic health records, paper-based documentation and nontraditional systems. The goal: to help organizations better coordinate care across the continuum. In this episode, Senior Writer Anastassia Gliadkovskaya spotlights a new large-scale data-sharing initiative Watershed launched in Austin, Texas. She speaks with Watershed CEO Effie Carlson and Jeff Richardson, CEO of Integral Care, a behavioral health provider partnering with Watershed, about what the collaboration means for care coordination. To learn more about the topics in this episode:  Watershed Health rolls out large-scale data sharing platform across Austin, Texas region Protecting sensitive patient data from interstate exchange Holon Solutions, Nevada HIE team up to help providers access data at the point of care Indigenous tribe becomes first in Michigan to tap state HIE for data sharing between tribal, non-tribal providers This episode is sponsored by Optum Rx. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Employers are doubling down on efforts to improve employee wellbeing, but the approach is becoming more nuanced. Mental health, physical health and financial wellness remain key priorities, but integration and targeted engagement are taking center stage.  In this episode of "Podnosis," Fierce Healthcare Senior Writer Paige Minemyer speaks with Jim Winkler, chief strategy officer at the Business Group on Health, about the findings from the organization’s survey on employer wellbeing strategies and how companies are adapting their programs for greater impact. To learn more about this topic:  Employers set to put more pressure on well-being vendors to improve outcomes, survey finds 2025 outlook: Employers face yet another year of healthcare cost increases Employers are bracing for healthcare costs to spike in 2025. Here's why Employers' enthusiasm for virtual care is on the decline: Business Group This episode is sponsored by Optum Rx. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.